The Untouchable Kalimantan

Kalimantan is an unexplored land of natural beauty and indigenous heritage. The island is well known for the tropical forests, rich natural resources and exotic flora and fauna. Kalimantan is inhabited by Dayaks, Kalimantan is now home of the 10 million inhabitants with many cultures : Dayaks, Malays, Chinese and Javanese people.

South Kalimantan
This province has extensive forest with wide variety of trees such as ironwoods, meranti, pines and rubber. In the capital Banjarmasin you could find the famous Floating Market where local people trade their variety of goods including tropical fruits such as Kesturi, rare aromatic species of mangoes, durian, rambutan, butter fruit and watermelon. To experience Banjarmasin the best way is through the river. You can use either the klotok (river bus) or a speedboat for fun trips. Stopped by at Negara where you can find the traditional weapons mandau and machete are made. Also visit Kembang island where is inhabited by tame monkeys in an old Chinese temple. Also stop at Kaget Island, the home of many birds species and Bekantan, the long nosed and reddish turred monkeys. Also you should try to visit Loksado, the local important market about 170km from Banjarmasin and watch the Mappanretasi (sea offering ceremony).

East Kalimantan
In here you should be able to see the wild orangutans and prolific bird life at Kutai National Park. Technically you don’t need a guide to enter the park but finding orangutans can be very difficult. Ask the Indonesian Forest Protection and Nature Conservative Agency (PHKA) staff as your guide. This is also the home of the original mountain people of Kalimantan. The local tribes called Lamin or Umaq Daru, they built their houses on wooden piles and built it with 3m height as protection against wilds animals and flooding. And you should visit at Tanjung Isuy, the first Dayak Village on Mahakam. The territory is considered to be Banuaq Dayak territory. But don’t expect too much from this society because modernization has affected the people in here. The main interest is in Louu Taman Jamrot, a longhouse vacated in the late 1970s and rebuilt by the provincial government as craft center and tourist hotel. It is highly recommended for you to travel the Mahakam river and experience the adventure also. On the journey you will see the wild jungles to the Derawan Island. In that island you will find many rare animals such as green turtle, scarlet turtle, star fruit turtle and sea cow. The Derawan and Sangalaki islands hold an amazing marine environment including the coral, canary grabs and pearls. Also worth to visit the remains of a king called Keraton Gunung Tambur in Berau.

Central Kalimantan
Near from the capital Palangkaraya city you can find the Kuala Kapuas. The place is perfect for adventurer, rafting into the white waters and explores the nature. The specific place called Gohong Rawai and it’s famous for its beautiful and challenging rapids. And while you in here you must visit the Old Palace of Pangkalanbun. The palace is completely built out of ulin (iron wood) and this is the only royal legacy found. Also when it is the time you should see the Isen Mulang Culture Festival at Palangkaraya. Sampit is also the biggest timber port in Kalimantan. And its worth to visit the Orchid Park of pembuangan Hulu is home to number of many rare species of orchid. Move a bit to the north the Dayak villages mostly lived on Lamandau River and still well traditional. It is necessary to hire a guide to decide the best route for experience hungry travelers. As we continue more to the north you can see the small villages along the river leads to Bekonsu a village of many longhouses as well as traditional mausoleums. Last Tanjung Putting National Park is the spot where you can see the enigmatic primates living in its forest and you can see the monkeys and macaques running around the forest. Also do not miss the fireflies at evening, they will spark up the night and dance in the pandanus palms.

West Kalimantan
West Kalimantan is rich in minerals and precious stone but remains largely untouched. The capital city Pontianak host interesting tourist objects such as: Kadariah Palace in Kampung Dalam, the State Museum, and the Kapuas and Landak River. At Saham village a traditional Dayak’s longhouse is 186m long and 6m wide which about 269 people live under the same roof. On Karimata Island there is marine nature’s reserve. And the place is home for thousand species of turtles and dugongs. At Kapuas Hulu you will find Betung Kerihun and Sentarum Lake National Park. At danau Sentarum you can see a huge lagoon, the house of more than 220 species of fresh water fishes. Among the fish also there are Super Red Arowana fish very fame and rare because of the beautiful colour and highly prized by collectors. The second nature preserves is the Bukit Raya Bukit Baka National Park encountered with rainforest, rugged landscapes, mountains and meandering rivers. This is the right place for bathing, boating, water skiing, bird watching and fishing. This park is easily to go from Nanga Popai by longboats. This park is also the home of the largest flower in the world Rafflesia. Don’t miss also the Equator museum in Pontianak and find Sasirangan, the traditional batik that is once used by the nobles to protect them from evil spirits. This item can easily find with others handicrafts and souvenirs at local market.

SUMATRA ISLANDS HERITAGE

Sumatra Island is divided into several provinces such as Aceh, Bangka, Belitung, Bengkulu, Jambi, Lampung, Riau, West Sumatra, South Sumatra and North Sumatra. You can easily get to Sumatera by flight from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta. Or by Sea cruise via Singapore and Jakarta.

In Aceh you can find the famous Mount Leuser National as one of the largest national park in Indonesia. The park is holding over 800.000 hectares of virgin rainforest. This preserve area is the home for orangutans, gibbons, monkeys, elephants, tigers, and Sumatran Rhinoceros. There are also Bahorok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center and Bukit Lawang to see the habitat of apes in close. In fact Bukit Lawang is considering as one of the most accessible places to spot the primate and the conservation has been done since 1970.

Sumatra is also the home of Bataks. They have traditional longhouses which is used by 10 peoples or more. Built from massive timber piles and have high structure and step palm-thatched roofs and it was built without needing a single nails just using rope and wooden pegs. Bataks is also the guardian of the Ulos. The special hand-woven cloth is distinguished by their distinct motifs which certain Ulos are worn is certain occasion. Rumah Gadang is the traditional house of the famous Minangkabau tribe in Sumatra. The walls of that house are covered with various motifs and each one of it means a different meaning. In here I would like to tell you some of the city in Sumatra that offers various travel experience
Batam Island
Located only about 20km from Singapore and 30km from Johor Malaysia, Batam is the perfect are for holiday. When you are in Batam you should visit its landscape landmark the Barelang bridges which link Batam and other islands. Cycling in these strings of islands has become a favorite activity for tourists and locals. Have a seafood lunch at Barelang and capture yourself with the famous Kwan Im Statue that’s height about 23km at KTM Resort. Afterward you must also see the biggest Buddhist Temple in South East Asia the Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya Laughing Buddha Temple. And later take yourself to Waterfront city where you find many resort facilities such as swimming, spa, golf, and many tourists came here. From some of the people I’ve meet at Batam some of them are eager to find exotic seafood and some others for the unique adventures in old village.
You also can find some good electronic quality with cheap price I here, Batam is well known for its cheap electronic things. Don’t forget to dive or surf during high tide and some reef fishing will make you excited.
Bintan Island
Bintan is the no. 1 spot for the beach lover and most of the tourist are headed to the north coast around Lagoi while the east coast is still unspoiled and worth to visit. In here you will meet all of the water sports activity accompanied with many gorgeous beaches. There is one club the Mana Mana beach club which provide all underwater needs for your diving, swimming and many others. About northeast of Bintan there is an island called Mapor island. The island is full with green forest with beautiful rock formation that you can see from the boat till 30m below the sea surface. Professional scuba drivers usually dive at Sandy Bay for stretch up and the local tourist guide usually will take you to Maoi Island, the shallow reef that holds possible sightings of nudibranchs and the iridescent Blue Ringed Angelfish. On the ground you can enjoy the International 18th holes of golf course, horse riding, and jungles for trekking. Also available ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) to pump your adrenalin, Go kart Track that can race up to 17 go karts at once. At Bintan Lagoon Golf Club held two international golf championship courses design by Jack Nicklaus and Ian Baker Finch. If you want to see the real forest treasure of Bintan you can join the local tour to see the mangrove forest and its rich habitat. Visit the pasar ikan (fish market) and Akau (night market) and Pelantar (water villages). Watch the turtle lay their eggs on Kelong beach and spend the afternoon at the old palace and fort on the historical Penyenget Island.
Palembang
Palembang it’s the second largest city at Sumatra, and has vital rules as major port 80km close to Musi River. The city is linked by the giant Ampera Bridge and the river is flanked by wooden houses on stilts. At southern side Seberang Ulu is the majority of the people live. And on Seberang Ilir to the north is the city is the place where you find most of the government office, shops, hotels and exclusive residential districts. Visit the Sumatera Selatan Museum which is a megalithic houses carving from Pasemah Highlands including the famous batu gajah (elephant stone) also there is a magnificent rumah limas (traditional house) behind the museum. At the center of the city you can find a coastal village Krui, a perfect place to explore western coastline especially at sunset. Far from the civilization, white sandy beaches with turquoise waters are waiting for their child birth. In the middle of Bukit Barisan you can find the Ranau Lake an excellent place for relaxing and continue to climb Seminung Mountain to the beautiful site of the land. The best known dishes are ikan brengkes (fish served with spicy durian based sauce) and pindang (a spicy and clear fish soup). Another specialty is pempek, a mixture of sago, fish and seasonings that is formed into balls and well deeply fried. There is also Tempoyak, a combination of fermented durian, terasi(shrimp paste), lime juice and chili added to the rice.
Medan
Medan in history it was a small kingdom at Deli river delta. Medan is the capital of a power sultanate and a successful plantation town. One of the Sultanate deli heritages is the Maimun Palace, an intriguing mixture of Oriental Middle Eastern and Western architectural styles design by an Italian architect in 1888. In Medan you also can find the Great Mosque of Medan ( Masjid Raya). The city is also famous for the multi cultural society that creates a unique culture blend. Each ethnic group contributes to a wide variety of tasty dishes. In here you can find Javanese sweet cuisines, hot Padang spicy dishes, savoury Chinese noodles and even Indian curry which is open 24 hours a day. After you in Medan you must see the Toba Lake as the largest lake in Southeast Asia. The lake is created by an enormous eruption that happened about 70.000 years ago. In there you can find the Samosir Island which is big as Singapore and often described as the heartland of Batak culture. Samosir is actually a peninsula divided from Sumatra only by Pusuk Buhit, a narrow canal once constructed by the Dutch, located between Samosir ad its mainland. Try the motorized becak around Medan city and taste spicy seafood restaurant in Kesawan Square at night life. Don’t forget also to taste Medan special’s food Bika Ambon and go to Titi Gantung to visit the unique bridge built over a railway.

White Sand of Situbondo

Inside the calm beach is located the sea garden which beauty is still natural with the clean beach and gentle moisture. Anyone is delighted to be there, to see the combination of blue sky and the blue sea. This is the Pantai Pasir Putih (White Sand Beach) a holiday beach that is on the side of Probolinggo and Banyuwangi high road that is used if you want to go to Bali from Java by vehicle.

From Surabaya it’s about 174 km and 23 km of west Situbondo city. In there you will find a white and clean beach, exotic Coral Sea, complete with hotel and restaurant facility. The beach shape is oval like a horseshoe but yet it looks very exotic. The flora and fauna in there is still natural and good cleanliness and is exciting to take your family and playing with your family and sun bathing at the beach.

Unfortunately the rocks and coral at the sea are getting thinner and the sea bring wave with mud brown color so it looks a bit brown right now. Beside for leisure the beach is also held national sports even suck surfing and sailing.

For the tourist facility is being improve by the local government, from year to year there been about 20% increment of the tourist came as a strong proof how interesting this beach to the people. In years to come there will be more luxury cottage, motels and classy restaurant in there, also with extra car park area for bus or private car that are fully support with security and comfortable.

One of the main reasons why this whit sand is famous is because of the special coral garden. Usually you need to dive in quite depth in the sea to se the coral but in here you can see the coral just from your boat or using your binoculars. Some say that white sand beach is the only beach in Java Island that has rich marine habitat and corals. You can see the soft coral and coral with many variant in there. This white sand beach is highly recommended if you were passing Probolinggo – Banyuwangi high road. The beaches has full facility and have great coral gardens, some says this beach is the number 1 challenger for Bunaken in North Sulawesi. With clean water, small wave and near the woods the beach is giving you a relaxing time and enjoying the perfect nature.

What We Haven't Seen in Western Papua

This island although is one of the big island of Indonesia but yet Papua was left behind for economic grow. However Western Papua offers many outstanding spots for adventure. In here you can find marvelous diving spot, trekking, untouched deserted beaches, traditional cultures with great unique customs, arts, crafts and special culinary. So a trip to Papua is an Indiana Jones adventure to you exploring the other world of flora and fauna also the wild life.

It’s because of the nature habitat the WWF also assist Indonesia government to protect the island flora and fauna also and its artifacts. Papua was known a forest fauna includes marsupials (possums, wallabies, and cuscus), some mammals (the endangered long beaked echidna), bird species (cendrawasih, cassowaries, and parrots), world’s largest lizard (Papua monitor) and some butterflies. The salt water also becomes the home of crocodile, flying foxes, bats and etc.

Sorong
You can get there if you reach Sorong which is the hub for all the boat travel along the southern and northern coast. Every two weeks The Rinjani sails to Fak-Fak and Maluku. Sorong is a must go city in Western Papua. The city is the centre of oil, logging and district administration. In Sorong is the perfect place for diving, trekking, and bird watching. In Sorong you will find Kasuari beach which is ideal for snorkeling and swimming. Try to walk around the Doom Island and you see the beautiful site. Rent a boat and go to the Raja Ampat Island, a vast archipelago contains over 1500 small islands, cays and shoals surrounding the four big islands of Misool, Salawati, Batanta and Waigeo. The Raja Ampat features beauty marine world above and below water. The place is located in the Coral Triangle which holds over 75% species in the world of all known coral species in the sea. The islands have a very different topography with steep mountain shores and deserted white beaches. It is interesting to walk on the island with bare foot and use the boat to move from one dive spot to another.

Here are some of the famous dive sites in Raja Ampat:

Misool Island
Misool is rich with the fish colony, the schooling fishes seems endless and seahorses live the sea not less than 10m
Kaboei Bay Rock Island
This place is the right place if you are looking for rare nudibranches, mollusks and dragonet.
Kri Island
Have lots of pretty corals growth, rich with reefs, schollong fishes and the giant Queensland Grouper
Sardine Reef
It’s the whole fish family in here. There you find bumphead parrotfish, colorful corals and plenty critters.

Fak Fak
Fak Fak is accessible from Ambon Islands and Banda Islands by sea and Sorong by air. The city is a colonial town builds on coastal foothills. You will be surprised with the beautiful landscape of a town’s hill, trees and bright blue sea. Fak Fak is the first city that Ducht colonial settle on Papua islands. There is the famous purported giant bone found in the sea and the rock art sites along the coast. Around there located the Kokas beach on the north coast of the peninsula. At the beach you will find some of the Japanese cannons, tunnels and shipwrecks and a mosque built in 1870. Do not forget to see Ugar Islands for diving and Madedred Waterfalls.

Manokwari
Manokwari in Biak language means Old village. Manokwari is a city that near Teluk Cendrawasih. The city is easy to explore and provited most of the facilities. Visit Gunung Meja Park picturesque, a wild forest with protected birdlife and butterflies. Also you should not miss Japanese Monument and track down some Japanese Cave that was built for escape route by Japanese soldier in World War II. There is one of the whole sited near the stone steps leading to Arfak Hotel.

In Papua you will find also Lorentz National Park, the largest protected area in the Asia Pacific region and one of the most ecologically diverse national parks in the world. It’s the only area that contains full ecosystems from marine areas, mangrove, tidal and freshwater swamps, lowland and mountainous forest, alpines areas and glaciers.

A little bit to the west you will able to see the Cendrawasih Bay Marine National Park. This reserve area are consists 18 islands, 500km of coastline and 14.300 sq km of the area. You can say this is the largest preserve area in Indonesia; the government protects the endangered species of giant’s clams, turtles and dugongs. However as usual if you want to explore the area please make sure that you have the transportation. The largest inhabitant island in the reserve area is Rumberpoon, Mioswaar, Roon and Angrameos islands. Rumberpoon island also provide snorkeling among fascinating corals and marine life not to mention great hiking. It’s also worthwhile to rent a boat and explore nearby islands such as Wairondi Islands which is famous with the turtle unseen population.

Three tribes are living on the valley of Papua which is Dani, Lani and Yani. Dani villages are often visit by tourist when they reach Western Papua and they are famous for several hundreds years mummies of famous tribesmen.

However there are top things to do in Papua which you don’t want to miss
Lake Sentani
Visit the lake Sentani which is virtually untouched by modern civilization. The local people are still live with the traditional ways and owned their own wood work and pottery. In here you can also see the mummy named Jiwika and traditional round shaped houses that Wamena people called Honay.
Mount Carstenz Pyramid
The highest in the ocean continent (4884 m above sea level) and located in the western central highland above the Pasir Putih Beach, a soft white sandy beach with its clear water and beautiful scenery, best for recreation and swimming.
Watch the Tifa dance, Fire dance and Mayai Marowa dance.
Visit Rumah Kaki Seribu
This is the famous traditional house built by Arfak Ecthic group
Visit Klaijili Hot Spring in Makbon district
And see the Mermaid Cagement a unique fish traditionally raised in Webra village.

Holiday in Valentine’s Day

Celebrating Valentine’s Day with holiday is a interesting options. Of course they have some variety of holiday packages that are offer to couple who seeks romantic experience. But for those of you that rarely having your own holiday with the one you love, you should pay attention to all the things that need to be prepare.

Pick the right location
Both of you must direct involve in planning you holiday in advance. You do not want to happen when you want to holiday in a beach while your partner want to go for a holiday in big cities shopping. If the two of you are having different taste for a good holiday at least you should compromise so you can still enjoy your holiday. Example you could go to the beach at today and tomorrow you will go to do some shopping. A lovers without compromise is a hard line of love, so be understand to each other and your holiday will be remember as one of the best you had.

Prepare the holiday schedule
Prepare your agenda to fill your activity during holiday. Not only where are you going but also details about what to do in the morning, afternoon and night. Also prepare some back up plan just in case your first plan is not going to work.

Spontaneous
Spontaneous is necessary although you have made your plan and schedule rapidly. However it will bring you much fun. Once awhile you can try to behave like you in love with your couple without afraid of being notice on the open place than you are increasing your love level with your love’s one. When you are at the beach why don’t you put sun block to your partner. When there is a live band during dinner why don’t you request her favorite song to play and ask her to dance. This spontaneous kind of romance will be a valuable moment for the both of you.

Holiday to remember
Remembering your holiday and your beautiful moment is also important. Do not forget to bring camera and take a picture of both of you. To make it better you could order some local artist to draw your face or make a painting with the both of you in it. I can guarantee that this kind of holiday will make your partner heart melted and so in love with you. Just remember a good holiday is a well plan holiday from the beginning, well works in the process and lovely ending at the end.

The Great Of Indonesia

Even though Indonesia is affected from the global economy crisis, Indonesia still will be one of the countries with most favorable country in Southeast Asia for international tourist. Indonesia was known as an archipelago country with ± 17.500 islands and located between the Australian and Asian continental main lands and dividing Pacific and Indian Oceans at the Equator.
Looking back from history, Indonesia is famous as an archipelago that holds important region rules since the seven century. This us happened when Sriwijaya kingdom made a trade link with China. For century Indonesia’s natural resources has been drawn and strongly influenced by the foreign countries. Many our ancestor cultural was adapted under Indians influence, Hindu and Buddhist kingdoms from the early centuries. Muslim traders brought Islam and European Colony is fighting each other to monopolize trade in the Spice Island of Maluku during the age of discovery. Indonesia was under Dutch Colonialism for three and a half centuries and secured their Independence after World War II
Currently in 2007 Indonesia with over 242 millions of people is the fourth world most populous nation behind Republic of China, India and USA. However the spread of the population was not equal and well balance. On Java Island it contains 130 millions of people and Indonesia was able to slow down the average growth of the people 1, 5 % with family planning programs. Java population is over 1000 people per sq km ( four times more than United Kingdom) while in Papua is 126 people per sq km this shows that the big cities mostly in Java is keep on growing rather than outside Java. Many people move to big cities to try their luck for a better salary and better life.
Indonesia only has two seasons because it’s an tropical country. June to September the weather is relatively dry and hot and from December to March is rainy season. But even in rainy season the temperatures average is from 21 degrees C to 35 degrees.
Indonesia has at least 2/3 area is water territorial include 3, 1 million square kilometers pf tropical seas. Because of this strategic place fish population is overwhelm. In Papua there is an undersea place called Raja Ampat which is considered to be one of the richest marine habitat life in the world.
The main islands are Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Papua and Java. Indonesia shares two thirds of Borneo island with Brunei and Malaysia, Indonesia also shares New Guinea island with Papua New Guinea. In Sumatra the Weh island, Bintan island and Krakatau island are famous for diving activity. In Java they have 3 major dive spots Ujung Kulon, 1000 island, Karimun Jawa and each of those places is very unique and rich in marine habitat life.
Art and Culture
Since Indonesia have so many people from different cultural and habits so Indonesia is rich in art and has strong cultural influence. From Java you could find the traditional puppet played with both hands and accompanied with traditional gamelan music. The puppets usually perform some fragment from Hindu epics either Mahabrata or Ramayana. They played behind the white screen with lantern spotting the background that cast the shadow of the character and the audience could see the show from the other side. Do not forget that one of the seven wonder is in Yogyakarta the Borobudur temple. It is very hard to believe during the Stone Age people could build a temple that is so big and well architect. Another Indonesia trademark in culture is Batik. Batik is the cultural clothes from Java Island and created hundred years ago. You can see Batik in almost everywhere in Indonesia. The present Batik producers not only create the origin Batik but they also design many variant and combine the pattern between classic and modern. Most of the Batik comes from Yogyakarta, Surakarta, Pekalongan and Cirebon. For souvenir each province of Indonesia brings you different woodcarving and woods cultures for ornamentation and furniture, paintings are numerous in all over the country, filigree from South Sulawesi and Bali with different styles of clay, sandstone and wood sculptures.
Indonesia is also a millionaire in traditional dance styles. Ramayana epic is great to see in Yogyakarta. Wonosobo from Central Java has its Lengger Dance, which perform by a masked man dress as a women. Jaipongan comes from West Java kind of a modern dance that features swift movements to the rythms of traditional music. In Central Kalimantan you often find the Manasai dance to welcome guest. Mandai dance is also from Kalimantan, which is using shield and sword for ceremony. Bali also have the Barong, Kecak, Topeng and Baris dance.
Indonesia Cuisine
Most of Indonesia people are common to eat rice “nasi”. On the Eastern of Indonesia the main food traditionally ranges from corn, sago and cassava, to sweet potatoes. Fish is usually eat with fresh, salted, dried or smoked conditions. Spices and hot chilli peppers are the main ingredient of most cooking especially in West Sumatra and North Sulawesi. Despite of that each its own cuisine have many cooking method and ingredients. Sumatrans generally eat more beef than other. West Sumatra was well known for their Padang restaurants. Beside it hot and spicy food it also has special service. All the dishes are spread on the table before you choose which one you want. Javanese cuisine taste more general and consist vegetable, soybeans, beef or chicken.
Looking more to the East in Bali, Papua and Highlands of North Sumatra and Sulawesi pork dishes are specialties. Pork is usually served in Chinese restaurant or non-Moslem restaurant. They also like to consume seafood either grilled or made into curries.